Authorities in Becker County, Minnesota have confirmed a tragic murder‑suicide that left a father and his young son dead in what investigators described as an intentional act. The deaths occurred at a home in Holmesville Township and were discovered on March 30, 2026, after a concerned family member went to check on the father when he failed to show up for work.
Discovery of the Victims
According to the Becker County Sheriff’s Office, a man went to his brother’s residence after becoming worried about his absence. Upon entering the home, he discovered his brother, 45‑year‑old Gene Bartnes, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Deputies responding to the scene then located Bartnes’s 3‑year‑old son, Koltyn, also dead from a gunshot wound inside the house. The sheriff’s office later determined that Bartnes’s death was a suicide and that Koltyn’s passing was a homicide, consistent with a murder‑suicide scenario.
No Motive Released
At this time, law enforcement has not disclosed a possible motive for what happened. Officials have been keeping investigative details limited as the case remains under review.
Family’s Account and Details from Loved Ones
In interviews following the discovery, Koltyn’s mother, Kristi Frazier, told local media that she had been informed Bartnes left three suicide notes, one of which contained an apology. Frazier also shared that Bartnes had exhibited odd behavior in the period leading up to the incident, though she never anticipated such a tragic outcome.
Frazier described heartbreaking details of the scene, saying she was told that “Koltyn was shot in the back when he was sleeping, and then his dad crawled into bed next to him and shot himself in the chest,” according to Valley News Live.
Community Support and Aftermath
In the days after the incident, friends and community members organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to support Frazier and her family during this difficult time. The fundraiser description expressed the profound loss felt by loved ones:
“Today, our hearts are shattered as we share the unimaginable loss of a beautiful 3‑year‑old boy. No parent should ever have to experience this kind of pain, and yet our beloved daycare provider, Kristi, is now facing every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Summary Table
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Holmesville Township, Becker County, Minnesota |
| Date of Incident | March 30, 2026 |
| Victims Identified | Gene Bartnes, 45; Koltyn (3‑year‑old son) |
| Cause of Death | Bartnes: suicide; Koltyn: homicide (murder‑suicide) |
| Discovery | Found by family member after Bartnes missed work |
| Notes by Bartnes | Three suicide notes left, including an apology |
| Behavior Prior to Incident | Reportedly odd behavior, per family |
| Community Response | GoFundMe started to support family |
A Community Mourns
This tragic incident has deeply affected family members and the larger Holmesville community. With no clear motive yet provided by authorities, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ loved ones and honoring the memory of a young child whose life was cut short.
